9Th Form Reading Text #2:

Two Travelers in the Land of the Apes

Two men, one who always spoke the truth and the other who told nothing but lies, were traveling together and by chance came to the land of Apes. One of the Apes, who had raised himself to be king, commanded them to be seized and brought before him, that he might know what was said of him among men. He ordered at the same time that all the Apes be arranged in a long row on his right hand and on his left, and that a throne be placed for him, as was the custom among men. After these preparations he signified that the two men should be brought before him, and greeted them with this salutation: "What sort of a king do I seem to you to be, O strangers?' The Lying Traveler replied, "You seem to me a most mighty king." "And what is your estimate of those you see around me?' "These," he made answer, "are worthy companions of yourself, fit at least to be ambassadors and leaders of armies." The Ape and all his court, gratified with the lie, commanded that a handsome present be given to the flatterer. On this the truthful Traveler thought to himself, "If so great a reward be given for a lie, with what gift may not I be rewarded, if, according to my custom, I tell the truth?' The Ape quickly turned to him. "And pray how do I and these my friends around me seem to you?' "Thou art," he said, "a most excellent Ape, and all these thy companions after thy example are excellent Apes too." The King of the Apes, enraged at hearing these truths, gave him over to the teeth and claws of his companions. 

True/False Questions

1. The king of the Apes did not command the two travelers to be seized and brought before him.

2. The lying traveler is rewarded handsomely.

3. The king of the Apes always had a throne as was customary among apes.

4. The truthful traveler did not expect to be rewarded for saying the truth.

5. The king of the Apes was enraged by what the lying traveler said.

6. The lying traveler said that the king of the Apes seemed “a mighty king”.

7. The king of the Apes ordered that that all the Apes be arranged in a long row on his right hand and on his left.

8. One traveler always tells the truth and one always lies.

9. The king of the Apes commanded that the travelers be seized so that he could find out about the kings of men.

10. The truthful traveler said that the king and his companions were “excellent Apes”.

Reading Text Answer Document:

Reading Text #1:

“100th Anniversary of Roald Amundsen Reaching South Pole—How the Grueling Race Was Won” by David Roberts, Beyond the Edge: National Geographic Adventure Blog, 2011

1. D

2. B

3. C

4. A

5. B

Reading Text #2:

Two Travelers in the Land of the Apes

1. False

2. True

3. False

4. False

5. False

6. True

7. True

8. True

9. False

10. True

9Th form Listening Text #1:

“The Thief and the Innkeeper” A Thief hired a room in a tavern and stayed a while in the hope of stealing something which should enable him to pay his reckoning. When he had waited some days in vain, he saw the Innkeeper dressed in a new and handsome coat and sitting before his door. The Thief sat down beside him and talked with him. As the conversation began to flag, the Thief yawned terribly and at the same time howled like a wolf. The Innkeeper said, "Why do you howl so fearfully?' "I will tell you," said the Thief, "but first let me ask you to hold my clothes, or I shall tear them to pieces. I know not, sir, when I got this habit of yawning, nor whether these attacks of howling were inflicted on me as a judgment for my crimes, or for any other cause; but this I do know, that when I yawn for the third time, I actually turn into a wolf and attack men." With this speech he commenced a second fit of yawning and again howled like a wolf, as he had at first. The Innkeeper. hearing his tale and believing what he said, became greatly alarmed and, rising from his seat, attempted to run away. The Thief laid hold of his coat and entreated him to stop, saying, "Pray wait, sir, and hold my clothes, or I shall tear them to pieces in my fury, when I turn into a wolf." At the same moment he yawned the third time and set up a terrible howl. The Innkeeper, frightened lest he should be attacked, left his new coat in the Thief's hand and ran as fast as he could into the inn for safety. The Thief made off with the coat and did not return again to the inn.  The moral of the story is, “Every tale is not to be believed.” 

Multiple Choice

1. When did the thief say he would turn into a wolf and attack men?

1. when he yawned for the third time

2. when the clock struck midnight

3. when he was bit by a werewolf

4. when he howled

2. What did the innkeeper do when the thief yawned for the third time?

1. the innkeeper asked the thief to leave the inn

2. the innkeeper turned into a wolf

3. the innkeeper left his coat and ran away

4. the innkeeper called the sheriff

3. What did the thief ask the innkeeper to do for him?

1. call the doctor

2. hold his clothes

3. give him some money

4. to help him hunt a wolf

4. Why did the innkeeper run away?

1. because he believed that the thief would turn into a wolf

2. because he was late for an appointment

3. because he heard a wolf

4. because he thought the thief would rob him

5. Where was the innkeeper sitting when the thief began talking to him?

1. in the kitchen

2. in the garden

3. in the thief’s bed

4. in front of the thief’s door